Remainers are finding it hard to accept Brexit.

Sarah Olney's by-election win in Richmond Park was hailed as one the party's biggest successes

Coburn dug deeper and asked: “Well it is, it’s about 1,810… how many did you have back in 2010?”

The party leader admitted his party “probably had about 4,000” in 2010 before Coburn blasted him for claiming there was a “resurgence”.

She said: “Right, you say it’s a resurgent Liberal Democrat party, it’s not resurgent is it?

“You’re clawing back, of course, I’m not wanting to deprive you of those wins, but you are clawing back a few seats here and there but in terms of a resurgence, a big breakthrough, it’s not happening.”

However, Mr Farron refused to back down and said his party’s performance since the Brexit vote was “astonishing”.

He replied: “All of that’s correct but I can’t affect elections that have gone by, you can only win what’s in front of you.

“If you look at the by-elections since the referendum, it’s actually astonishing, 31 gains I think. Labour Tories and Ukip all losing seats… there is no pattern except the Liberal Democrats gaining seats everywhere.”